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Bristol-based squash ace brings home major title
Bristol’s own Mohamed El Shorbagy beat new French number one Victor Crouin 3-1 to take home the QTerminals Qatar Classic.
The world number four has now won the tournament four times during his career, bringing his total titles to 45.
El Shorbagy won the first two games 11-4 and 11-6 respectively, before surprise finalist Crouin forced himself back into contention by winning the third set 11-7.
is needed now More than ever
With the next game deciding the destination of the trophy, the Wapping Wharf-based player showed his class by clinching the game 11-8.
El Shorbagy’s Qatar win was the first platinum title of his career.
El Shorbagy spent 50 months at the top of the world rankings between 2014 and 2021
The former squash world number one, who switched allegiance from Egypt to England in June, said: “This win feels so special because I haven’t won this tournament in a very long time. I wanted to win it at least one more time in my career and obviously I want to win it more now”.
The 31-year-old, who also plays for England after joining them in June, added: “I promised England Squash that I want to win the platinum events for England, and it was great to deliver on that”.
Originally from Egypt, El Shorbagy made his Professional Squash Association debut at the age of 15, since becoming one of the most decorated squash players of all time spending 50 months at the top of the world rankings between 2014-2021.
The player has lived in Bristol since 2009, when he started studying at UWE Bristol.
El Shorbagy is now focused on the Egyptian Open which begins on Monday, as well as spending some time much-needed family time in Alexandria.
“We’re only at the start of the season and my aim is to go back to world number one and Qatar was a great place to start,” El Shorbagy said.
All photos: Mohamed El Shorbagy
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